Read Online Jailbird by Heather Huffman - Free Book Online Page B

the difference between the two. “In fact, I’d
help her if she’d let me.”
    “Good luck with that,” Conrad snorted.
    “This is pleasant,” I folded my arms across
my chest and looked from one to the other. “Should I excuse the two
of you to step outside? Are you going to beat each other up or see
who can pee farther?”
    “Don’t be so crass,” Conrad reprimanded.
    “Don’t be so bullheaded,” I snapped.
    “Okay. I believe he’s your brother.”
    “Fantastic.”
    “You didn’t believe I was her brother? Wait,
I thought you weren’t going to tell anyone I was here.”
    “Well I wasn’t, but Charlie saw you drop me
off and assumed we were lovers and I was a con artist.”
    “Why weren’t you going to tell us he was
here?”
    “You thought my sister was a con artist?”
    “Because,” I answered Charlie then turned to
Conrad, “Can you really blame him?”
    “Well that helps,” Charlie retorted
sarcastically.
    “True. For all I know, you are a con artist.
You haven’t exactly let me in on your life recently.”
    “I don’t think either of you are being very
fair,” I frowned, sinking onto the bed. “And you’re giving me a
headache.”
    We all stared at each other for several
minutes, apparently at an impasse.
    “Okay, Charlie, I’m going to walk you back to
your car now. Conrad and I really need to talk. It’s important. I
know you said you’re busy tomorrow, but I’m sure we’ll figure out
some time to discuss this. Conrad, I hope you can stay one more
day. Someone really important to me really wants to meet you before
you leave.”
    “So I’m being dismissed?” Charlie arched an
eyebrow. There was a tinge of humor in his voice and I got the
feeling he was a little relieved to be able to go sort it out in
his head.
    “I am so confused,” Conrad shook his head and
sank onto the other bed.
    “I get the impression that’s a constant state
around her,” Charlie cut his eyes in my direction.
    “Funny. You’re very funny,” I grabbed his
hand and tugged him towards the door.
    “And cute. Don’t forget that you think I’m
cute.”
    “Adorable. Come on.” I tried to look serious,
but he was right. I did think he was cute.
    We stopped by his car door and he pulled me
into his arms, resting his forehead on mine.
    “I like you,” I reminded him. “Being with you
terrifies me and I can’t tell you everything you want to know, but
I like you.”
    “Knowing that you’re keeping something from
me is driving me to distraction,” he informed her. “But I like you,
too. It’s ridiculous how much.”
    “Good.” I kissed him so thoroughly that I
hoped his toes curled. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    “Should you really have a boyfriend right
now?” Conrad was waiting for me when I got back to his room.
    “Absolutely not. But I’m addicted to that
man. He’s like crack.”
    “You’re on crack?” Worry creased his
brow.
    “No, I mean… oh, never mind. Can we just
leave it for now?”
    “Right. We have a lot to talk about.”
    “Right,” I didn’t relish the thought of
reliving any of the last ten years. Well, right up until the last
week. I was pretty much cherishing every moment of the last
week.
    “Oh, but first… I have something for you,”
Conrad starting pulling bags out from the far side of the bed.
    “What are these?”
    “Basics,” he smiled expectantly. “Come on,
open them.”
    “You shouldn’t have,” I insisted as I opened
the first bag. But I was forever grateful that he had. I held the
pretty little pink pajamas up to my face. I couldn’t remember the
last time something so new or so soft touched my skin. There was
more. Shorts, t-shirts, tank tops, a pair of capris, a dress,
panties, a bra, a brush, a toothbrush, deodorant and even some
girly-smelling soap. “You have no idea how much a person can come
to miss deodorant.”
    “I can imagine,” he chuckled. “You need
enough clothes to be able to function, sweetie. You look like